The List: 10 possible directors for the new “Star Wars” movie

Last week’s stunning announcement that Disney was buying Lucasfilm and planning a new “Star Wars” movie has me reconsidering the childhood-defining franchise we all thought was done. So who should direct “Episode VII”? Here’s my short list.

J.J. Abrams

The “Lost” co-creator has already successfully reset the “other” sci-fi franchise when he breathed new life into “Star Trek.” And, sorry Trekkies, but “Star Wars” is way juicier.

Brad Bird

Bird made his live-action debut with the last “Mission: Impossible,” but it’s his experience in animation (“The Incredibles”) that might make him the perfect man for CGI involved.

Michael Bay

Anyone who said, “No one could do worse than George Lucas did with the prequel trilogy,” you just might get this. No, seriously.

Joss Whedon

We nerds want “Star Wars” in the hands of one of our own, and “The Avengers” proved Whedon can handle a big spectacle better than, say, Kevin Smith.